What type loudspeaker connector is the best?

Should I use bare wires, pins, banana plugs or spades on my loudspeaker cables? A simple question, but is there a simple answer?
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[@slyfoxx2973]

Keep it clean. Keep it tight. After that, don't worry too much. Enjoy the music.

[@IliyaOsnovikov]

I would say that crimped soft copper spades with direct gold plating may provide the best connection of all mentioned connectors. I also use CAIG DeoxIT Gold to soak the wire end before crimping.

[@mikecampbell5856]

I bought my first Hi-Fi system in 1975 when I was in the Navy. The options were bare wire or bare wire. A few years ago I started using banana plugs and I love them. I am always switching speakers between my 6 stereo systems and it is so quick and convenient. Plus no more frayed wire sticking out.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

6 systems, some say that having three systems is already overkill😁

[@mikecampbell5856]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel They would be wrong! Some of my stuff is from the 70s and they are like family.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

@@mikecampbell5856 hahahaha............just like me , having no fixed system because all those members of the family !

[@Catfish2255]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I have 6 home units and 3 DJ units.I have roughly 12 sets of speakers.Ranging from 15"cabinets to 8" 3 way..I just watched this video..I was well informed by you on speaker tech..Thank you...I clean my 1/4 inch jacks every time I use them..Light alcohol and then I put all cables in ziplock bags..Keeps moisture out and air.I prefer 1/4 inch jacks.

[@lou_bee]

Plus, the spring design of the Z-banana plug is exerting a continuous pressure on the inside of the binding post, thus, no loose connections.

[@naleenperera1969]

Sir., Your Technical Explanations Is " Vital Tips " For The Audio Lovers To Connect Their Amplifiers & Speakers In The Appropriate Standard. Thank You.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏽

[@lou_bee]

Z-Banana plugs, as shown in your diagram, actually have a larger surface area than spade connectors, since the entire barrel is in contact with the inside of the binding post. Whereas, with a spade connector, only the area under the binding post, minus the cutout, is actually making contact. What you're left with a contact area that's shaped like a crescent moon, as opposed to a complete barrel with the banana plugs.

[@falcon048]

That was my thought as well. Especially when you consider that cable manufacturers don't charge any extra cost on Banana Plugs vs Spades. If Spades were truly better, there would be a price premium for them.

[@musicstevecom2]

I ended using the Nakamichi Speaker BFA banana plug Jack Adapter Audio connector N0534E very tight connector (its not pure cooper) Shown above. Also Binding posts dept - How deep can you insert the banana plug and how tight is it. Pull Test- Pull the Banana Plug out. It should take a lot of force to pull them out (I had a bunch fail this test on the banana plug side and binding post side)

[@zenlunatic25]

@@falcon048 Frequently, spades do actually cost more than banana plugs….quite frequently indeed.

[@howardskeivys4184]

Ask 100 experts their opinion on a given topic, you’ll likely get 110 opposing views. I wonder, if in a blind A-B test between banana plugs, spades, pins and naked wire, whether anyone could differentiate correctly with an above 75% success rate. I use banana plugs to connect my amplification to my speakers, naked wires to connect my subs and spades to dig for gold to plate my cables!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You’re an all rounder

[@fredflintstone8048]

Electrical connection, not sonic connection. And those pesky little electrons are quite resilient and are not particular about the type of connection provided there's enough surface area so as not to become a point of resistance of any magnitude. Given the amount of load and thus corresponding current in the circuit, not much is required. Compared to the impedance of any speaker, the resistance in the wire and connections is almost nothing and will never have any impact on the sound. Remember that the electrons that carry the sound information travel down a wire at near the speed of light minus the velocity factor of the cable which is meaningless in the audio world, and don't worry, every electron that leaves the amplifier will end up at the speaker. They don't get lost or fall off the wire somewhere.

[@mikecampbell5856]

Right on!

[@fredflintstone8048]

@@smyrnianlink Good point although the thickness of a wire (the amount of surface area) does tend to affect the resistance of the wire and as such the amount of load on the circuit. Larger diameters of wire are rated for carrying more current than small diameters. If you go too small on your wire size for the amount of current (flow) the wire will heat up and in some cases get very hot and burn through. Wire also has a positive temperature coefficient which translates to as the temperature goes up, so does it's resistance slowing the current (flow) in the circuit which in turn will cause a larger voltage drop across the length of wire.

[@scottbennett3119]

Thank you! I am going with spades.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@beagle7622]

The people attacking expensive cables never mention Copper Oxide.when I used cheaper cables I screwed together myself I was always getting copper oxide on the cable.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

This item was on loudspeaker connectors. There are never made of copper unless plated with non oxidising metal. For cables you are absolutely right and not only for copper. Even silver cable suffers from oxidation unless special measures are taken. Silver oxide sound horrible, a lot worse than copper oxide.

[@wildcat1065]

I think it depends on the binding posts. My Transparent speaker cables are thick, heavy, springy and awkward and have very shiny spades fitted. As much as I tighten them they still easily slip out of the speaker binding post. At the amp end, the situation is even worse. I am scared that one day I will get a short. I don't know why spades are not ring shaped and could then fit over a threaded post. This would prevent them slipping out. I now much prefer banana plugs as they are safer, can be removed and replaced quickly without a spanner and sound no different if kept clean.

[@SpikeoutBattleStreet]

Hans I totally agree with you. When it comes to cable we can only believe in brand names. There is absolutely no way to tell a cable from it's appearance.

[@carlitomelon4610]

The English translated this to: "All that glitters is not gold" Thanks Hans!

[@eloi1796]

Thanks for the advices !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@FriedEgg101]

In english the saying goes: "all that glitters is not gold" :)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

As often, it's almost the same. But we never have cats and dogs raining.😁

[@johnloupis2347]

What should the materiel of the plugs or be made of? Brass? copper? nickel? Should they be gold plated no matter what?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That depends on your 'religion'. I don't think thee is a single metal that can enjoy universal preference .

[@steveaustin7306]

There are solid copper connectors used in arc welders that can work on some posts.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't know. Those are designed for high power only, in audio we also want loss loss contacts for low power.

[@steveaustin7306]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel probably more alloy to be hard so I see your point. The tube connectors look interesting. Lots of 99.9% copper tube around for diy

[@javiercastaneda3099]

Gracias, excelente informacion.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

de nada

[@philiplim6916]

Thank you for such a informative video. I have some left over Anderson Style Plug, can I use the as my DIY speaker terminal? Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No idea

[@spencexxx]

What about tinned wire ends?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The tin is yet another transition we're not keen on. Use the bare wire directly in a loudspeaker terminal or use high quality forks.

[@marcinturkey7231]

would it be ok to smear some silicon grease on the terminals, this would reduce oxidising ,, just saying ..

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I wonder what the conductance of silicon oil is. I wouldn't do it.

[@michelvalois1099]

Have you ever test the Tube Connector by GR-Research? There claim about better contact make any sens for you? I'm curious about your toughs? Thanks!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Not yet!

[@thomshere]

***What a great video, thank you! You have some very interesting videos! I am glad to have found your channel. New subscriber here. :)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@skatbelt]

Hans, question, knowing that the electrical conductivity of pure copper is 100% IACS, what is the influence of direct electroplated rhodium with rhodium 'only' having a conductivity of 38% IACS? Does this mean the overall conductivity of the connector also becomes 38% IACS? If so, why are the major brands use rhodium for their most premium products if this material degrades conductivity?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I’m sorry but I am no metallurg. Can’t help you here.

[@tomkennaugh]

The plating is so thin as to have an almost irrelevent effect on the attenuation on the signal. The long run of speaker cable is the bulk of the resistance. The corrosion resistance of the plating is more important as corrosion will greatly increase electrical resistance. Although rhodium is a good conductior and corrosion resistant, I belive gold is still best for plating contacts. Both offer good corosion resistance and good conductivity. Rhodium is only really used electrically outside of the audio market where its durability is required. eg. high cycle sliding electrical contacts.

[@skatbelt]

@@tomkennaugh Thanks! Greatly appreciated.

[@zizendorf]

Interesting... Audioholics suggests that the bare wire is the second choice for quality termination.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Let's agree to disagree then .

[@uprajsingh]

How to know as to what should be the right speaker size for an amp, as in small, medium or large or is it all based on sensitivity? Is there a video that you made i can refer to or quick couple of lines for me to understand? or vice versa .. I have lets say big speakers with 88db sensitivity and 100w rms - does it mean that most of the amps in the market are safe to plug? Also what happens in an multichannel system and dynamic range audio such as classical - how does the amplifier power gets affected

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Please watch kzbin.info/aero/PLMbsmejHnP8FslB_FR0F7FZ6jh-XQOQqj

[@richarddegannes2928]

Hello, Can you recommend a pair reasonable priced speaker cables with Banana plugs that is neutral in sound. Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No I can't. Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/mITFh4KdqKZ7bbs why.

[@j.d.4697]

So many Dutch audio youtube channels. How come it's so popular in the Netherlands?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't know. Are there???

[@uprajsingh]

Hello Sir and also your opinion about - Oppo UDP-203 Region Free Ultra HD?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I can not have an opinion on equipment I didn't review.

[@uprajsingh]

Hey sure Makes sense! Thanks for the reply!

[@nickcollins7568]

My Arcam amp won't take banana plugs but instead uses these hard to find BFA connector's.

[@christopherward5065]

Nick Collins don’t z-plugs work

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

On most Arcam amps you can remove caps from the end of the terminal to expose banana plug entries.

[@jeanvaljohn3921]

Why about 1/4 inch plugs?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Do me a favour...

[@NK-me9yz]

Please take into account that silveroxidate is still better than copper.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

silver oxide works like a semi conductor and will sound harsh.

[@Remo860]

What about Speakon?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If your amp and speaker use them: great.

[@Remo860]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Why is this connector not used more often in hifi?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@Remo860 I don’t know.

[@ernestporee3697]

@@Remo860 only pro sound equipment has them? They are the standard in pro audio ! I use them cause I have a pro amp, Crown. but on the speaker side WBT locking bananas . I might put a input on my speaker ? None of the choices shown are used in pro applications... Also power con for the power cable, my amp doesn't have power con only speakon .

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I know

[@linkingaj]

Should I solder the wire to the plugs instead of using screws?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

In general screwing is the better option.

[@linkingaj]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel LOL 🎁

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No pun intended...

[@mindfixer4you]

Balanced? Unbalanced?

[@byrong1561]

Balanced (eg XLR) or unbalanced (eg RCA ) only applies to connection between components. It doesn't apply to speaker cables

[@airgead5391]

about the purest silver there is would be 5 nines. (99.999%) 9 nines doesn't exist to my knowledge. With copper: yes, there you can find that kind of purity figures.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I said it wrong in the video, there is no nine decimal nines but there is nine nines (99.9999999%)

[@airgead5391]

No there isn't for silver. Yes there is for copper. (Anders ben in zeer geinteresseerd waar ik het kan kopen haha!)

[@gregcyrus3602]

I understood it in a way of 99 periodic 9 (maybe because the Good Olde Dutch Saying sounds so familiar to me)

[@victorjohnson7512]

Spades, case closed.

[@MsCorbacho]

Bare wire ,.. one less obstacle to sound quality

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Until it starts oxidising..